"Democracy in America" and “The Constitutional History of America”

Sarah Discher

Age 19

Two of the greatest books ever written by foreigners about America, were “Democracy in America” by Alexis De Tocqueville, and “The Constitutionals History of America” by Van Holst.


“Democracy in America” encouraged Americans to learn about and control Democracy, rather than hide their heads in the sand and wish it would not increase. De Tocqueville said that America had a spirit of democracy, and that it prevailed primarily because there are no nobility in America. Aristocracy gave men a good excuse. “I’m as good as Lord _________, but he inherited his position and wealth…” In early America, if someone became so rich that he wanted to stop working, he usually would go to Europe to” retire” rather than stay in America. In America, instead of being considered a great gentleman, he would be considered a great joke. The” idle rich” were not looked favorable upon in America, where work was a man’s life-rich or poor.

De Tocqueville also noted that America has put aside the European customs of heirship. Now in America, the father was able to decide who his land or money would go to when he died. Land became no longer strictly family-owned. It used to be that the land represented a family’s wealth. Now, because land was not necessarily passed down as an inheritance, money took its place as the representative of wealth. Money became the basis for which men lived or died. Land was something that lasted and could be the pride of many generations. Money had no such value. De Tocqueville wrote of the dangers of this. It created a very impermanent society. One that was constantly changing.

De Tocqueville also pointed out that in America, equality is key. “The land of opportunity.” Everyone had as much a chance as another at success. He said that as of then, this characteristic was beneficial. However, Americans needed to be careful. Stress on equality could lead to totalitarianism. Everyone is equal and should always be equal, and have equal success without equal labor.

Van Holst’s “The Constitutional History of America” is Mr. Holst’s observations of the centralization of America’s government. He noted that each administration in Washington was taking us closer to centralization and totalitarianism.

F.D.R. did more to centralize power in Washington than almost any other president. The ironic thing is that Mr. Roosevelt campaigned on the basis of cutting back government. He warned the American people of the dangers of centralization, stressing the fact that we need to get back to small government.

Mr. Van Holst’s observations were very acute. We are now virtually in economic fascism. (The control of the economy by the government)

Mr. De Tocqueville’s book has been reprinted many, many times. Mr. Holst’s book was printed only once.